Debates of June 6th, 2012

Marie-Claude Morin Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives' laissez-faire economic policy is causing more and more collateral damage.

Last Friday, 360 workers at the Camoplast factory in Roxton Falls found out that their jobs will disappear in July 2013. Those jobs are being transferred to Mexico. Nearly one-quarter of the people of Roxton Falls will lose their jobs. This is a tragedy for families and local businesses. The region's economy will be hit hard.

Do the Conservatives have a plan to protect jobs like these, or will they continue to stand idly by and watch the manufacturing sector crumble?

Christian Paradis Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture)

Mr. Speaker, our government has a plan, the economic action plan, which is responsible for the creation of over 750,000 jobs since the recession in 2009. We have introduced measures that foster a healthy investment climate, create jobs and drive economic growth. We have reduced taxes, eliminated tariffs on machinery, and introduced a hiring credit to help businesses recruit employees. We have implemented measures to stimulate the economy and safeguard our industries in a climate of healthy competition. The NDP could have voted for those measures. That would certainly have helped.

André Bellavance Richmond—Arthabaska, QC

Mr. Speaker, 13 days ago the video of a sordid crime was posted on the Internet. It has been 13 days that our children have been able to access this video, which shows the murder and dismemberment of an unfortunate victim. It has been 13 days that this government, which claims to ensure the safety of our streets and communities, has allowed a website to broadcast this horrible video, which serves only to enhance a murderer's notoriety.

My question is simple: what is the government waiting for to enforce the Criminal Code and have the images of this barbaric act removed from our children's sight?

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

I would like to draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of the hon. John Yap, Minister of State for Multiculturalism for British Columbia.

Ryan Cleary St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL

Mr. Speaker, I wish to apologize for my use of unparliamentary language in my member's statement.

We Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have a colourful language. I have to remind myself of where to use it.

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

I appreciate the withdrawal from the hon. member.

The hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands is rising on a point of order.

Elizabeth May Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, this relates to unparliamentary language that was used yesterday. It was not as colourful, perhaps, as that used by the hon. member for St. John's South—Mount Pearl, but I found it quite disturbing.

It was an exchange between the hon. member for Thunder Bay—Superior North and the hon. Minister of State for Science and Technology during the debate on the NDP opposition motion.

Mr. Speaker, you may want to look at it in Hansard. The hon. Minister of State for Science and Technology said, according to Hansard:

Madam Speaker, what I would recommend to the hon. member is that when he tightens that towel around his neck at nighttime that he not do it for more than 20 seconds. It actually ends up causing cerebral anoxia that leaves permanent brain damage.

I thought the towel comment was so odd. I could not figure it out. I made the mistake of asking someone what it meant. Then I was even more disturbed, because it apparently refers to deviant sexual practices.

I think that is completely outrageous. I ask that the hon. Minister of State for Science and Technology, a member of cabinet, should not use such language.

Gary Goodyear Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario)

Mr. Speaker, I clearly meant no such thing. I am certainly sorry that the member has the range to think I meant that.

I meant that the question seemed to suggest that the hon. member actually had brain damage and should be careful.

However, I withdraw the comments quite sincerely. I meant no such thing.

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

I appreciate the withdrawal of that comment as well.

Tabling of documents, the hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Deepak Obhrai Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaties entitled: Protocol Amending the Convention between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, done in Luxembourg on September 10, 1999, and done in Montreal on May 8, 2012; Exchange of Notes concerning the Convention between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, done in Luxembourg on September 10, 1999, and done again in Luxembourg on May 8, 2012, and in Brussels on May 11, 2012; Convention between Canada and New Zealand for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income, done in Wellington on May 3, 2012; Convention between Canada and the Republic of Poland for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income, done in Ottawa on May 14, 2012; and Convention between Canada and the Republic of Serbia for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, done in Belgrade on April 27, 2012.

An explanatory memorandum is included with each treaty.

Mike Lake Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to table, in both official languages, the National Research Council of Canada's 2010-11 departmental performance report.

Tom Lukiwski Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's responses to 45 petitions.